15:10 Curragh

Sunday 21 July 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:3018:00

Friarstown Stud Sapphire Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 58.51s

(3)

Caspian Prince^t⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 106| CD

20/1

2017 winner of this seeking a 20th career score and based on his Listed second latest that should come this season. Whether he is quite Group Two calibre aged 10 is debatable but could still go well.

Form: 20-6934

(8)

El Astronaute²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 111| CD

4/1

Cork Listed winner two starts ago and followed up in a valuable C&D handicap latest. Looks better than ever this season and expectant of a bold bid here.

Form: 266911

(5)

Equilateral³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: C Hills| OR: 109| D

10/3

Yet to win as Pattern level but second in Newmarket Group Three two starts ago shows that should be a matter of time and wasn't disgraced latest in G1 Golden Jubilee. Genuine chance here with best days possibly still ahead.

Form: 44-3427

(1)

Rapid Reaction²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: A J Slattery| T: J F Grogan| OR: 90| D

50/1

Likable sort but held by El Astronaute in both of his last two starts and given he received 21lb latest and only 3lb today the task appears impossible.

Form: 10-5653

(9)

Soffia⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Declan McDonogh| T: E Lynam| OR: 104| CD

6/1

Gained third career win at this course with Group Three success latest where she showed a terrific attitude. Seems better than ever this season and looks sure to make a bold bid.

Form: 14-6211

(4)

Garrus¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 109| D

7/1

Started season with back-to-back successes at Nottingham and York over this trip and far from disgraced when second in Sandown Group Three latest on debut for this yard. Remains progressive and highly respected here.

Form: 144-112

(10)

Soldier's Call³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: A Watson| OR: 114| D

2/1

Group Two Flying Childers winner and Abbaye third in excellent two-year-old season. Behind Garrus first time out conceding weight but excellent third in Kings Stand latest confirms him a top-notch 5f horse and he will take some beating here.

Form: 1136-33

(7)

Fantasy³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 89| D

25/1

Career record of 1-16 and only managed two thirds in 12 races at Pattern level. Very exposed for a three-year-old and all of her form short of what's needed.

Form: 08-0948

(2)

Lethal Promise^h⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W J Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 101| BF| D

20/1

Dual Listed winner but beaten 5½L by Soffia here latest when favourite. Sure she's better than that effort but still needs a career best here.

Form: 1401-15

Non-Runners

(6)

Southern Horse²²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: J S Bolger J: K J Manning

Forecasts

Soldier's Call (2/1), Equilateral (10/3), El Astronaute (4/1), Soffia (6/1), Garrus (7/1), Southern Horse (16/1), Caspian Prince (20/1), Lethal Promise (20/1), Fantasy (25/1), Rapid Reaction (50/1)

Archie Watson's stable star SOLDIER'S CALL developed into one of the best and fastest two-year-olds in training last season and after an excellent third to the exceptional Blue Point at Ascot latest he looks a standout candidate here. Garrus has certainly improved this season and may provide the stiffest test although Equilateral does threaten to have a big day in him.